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6th Sunday of Easter Year A - 14/5/2023 - Gospel: John 14: 15-21
Post-Easter Love
Today's message is the second half of Jesus' farewell speech. His pre-Easter gift is His cross and resurrection, and His post-Easter gift is the gift of the Holy Spirit; which we will celebrate in the next two weeks. His pre-Easter is the gift of eternal life given to his disciples; and His post-Easter is the gift of peace and of the Holy Spirit, who will be our companion for life, to guide and direct us, to have peace now on earth, and the eternal peace to come.

Before leaving the disciples, Jesus consoles them, saying,

'I will not leave you orphans' Jn 14,18, or Peace I bequeath to you.... Fear not' Jn 14,27.

The consolation is not simply words of encouragement; but Jesus gives them the third Person of God, the Holy Spirit. While Jesus is still with the disciples; there is no need, at the same time, to have both Him and the Holy Spirit; simply because the two teach the same things. The Spirit will be sent after Jesus' departure. The Holy Spirit is not acting as a replacement, since a replacement will teach with moderation or variation. Jesus says,

'The Holy Spirit, whom the Father will send in my name, will teach you everything and remind you of all I have said to you' Jn 15,26.

The role of the Spirit is to teach, and remind all what Jesus had taught. Jesus told His disciples to keep His commandments, and that is a sign of their love for Him. He then asks the Father to give them the Holy Spirit. Our love for God must stem from Jesus, who is our source of life and love. Jesus demonstrates his love for the Father by abiding and remaining in the Father. He calls us to love Him by keeping His commandment. He, the Father, and the Spirit will come to dwell in our hearts. Those who keep that connection flowing will receive God's love that would make them children not of the world; but of God. They live in the world, but belong to God. The world is not their permanent residence; their true home-land is in heaven. They also know the purpose of their life in the world; that is to show God's love to others; and to make others disciples of Jesus. They do it by acts of charity, being kind, gentle, and hospitable.

Our love for God and love of the world is not the same. The world in this context is not the created world, but rather the hostile world. It includes people who anti-Christ; and His disciples. People are free to love God or to be anti-God. Whoever refuses to love God, that person belongs to the world; and his decision becomes his own judge.

Love is a part of life, and is the source of life. To love God means to keep His commandment and that makes our love alive. It is alive and active because it receives life from God. God's love has no end; while the hostile world has an end. Those who love the world will die when their world collapses. Those who love God will receive God's everlasting life. Choosing God's love will receive more love; choosing the world, life is withered when it drains dry one's energy.

Jesus foretold His disciples, not once but several times before anything that was going to happen to Him. It is either good or evil; nothing is out of His control. He told them about His Passion, the coming of the Spirit, and His Ascension.

'I told you this now before it happen, so that when it does happen you may believe.' Jn 14,29.

We pray to have faith and love in Jesus who is our life and love.

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